Thought to be a cure for over-indulgences, this phrase has been traced back to a Greek dramatist around the 4th century BC. Involving (metaphorically) the detachment of part of an animal, one culture believes it is also a remedy for any dilema, not just the one specific indulgence. What is it, and what is the Latin equivalent?

zbeckabee

Hair of the dog... "Similia similibus curantur" Jan 05 07, 4:41 PM

lanfranco

Interesting, that's the Law of Similars on which homeopathy is based: "Like cures like." Jan 05 07, 5:04 PM

peasypod

Bananas don't make an appearance until it's explained clearly. Jan 05 07, 5:07 PM

lanfranco

It's been traced back to Aristophanes (why am I not surprised?), the Scots thought that applying a few hairs of a dog that had bitten you would prevent festering -- or perhaps rabies -- and the Hungarians have used a similar phrase to suggest that the "cure" might be problematic than the original difficulty: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hair_of_the_dog Jan 05 07, 5:31 PM

peasypod

Thankyou, m'dear. These Tasmanian Bananas are hard to come by, so the appropriate explanation was required. Specifically, the hangover was on my mind, and just last night I overheard someone quote the Latin which intrigued me as they were exchanging their woes about New Years Eve activities. Zbee and Frankie can fight over which end they want. Jan 05 07, 5:38 PM

lanfranco

Oh, zbeck can have the Banana. I've got plenty, and it's a pleasure just to do the research. Jan 05 07, 5:52 PM